Pedestrian control signal and circuit



Sept. 11, 1962 P. N. BECKA 3,054,089

PEDESTRIAN CONTROL SIGNAL AND CIRCUIT Filed Dec. 14, 1959 FEED LINE Fig.

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 TRAFFIC 6I/ c0- TROLLER WALK INVENTOR.

PAUL N. BECKA BY 0.446;. M

Sept. 11, 1962 P. N. BECKA 3, 8

PEDESTRIAN CONTROL SIGNAL AND CIRCUIT Filed Dec. 14, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 TRAFFIC CONTROL LER Fig. 2

INVENTOR. PAUL N. BECKA Sept. 11, 1962 P. N. BECKA 3,054,089

PEDESTRIAN CONTROL SIGNAL AND CIRCUIT Filed Dec. 14, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet I5 COMMON FEED LINE TRAFFIC 26| CONTROLLER WALK INVENTOR.

PAUL N. BECKA wwukz mr ATTORNEYS p 1952 P. N. BECKA 3,054,089

PEDESTRIAN CONTROL SIGNAL AND CIRCUIT Filed Dec. 14, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 i 76 3n 323 348 r 5:49

350 378 335 379 375 377V 35I/ n I common \y 370 367 TRAFFIC FEED LINE CONTROLLER WALK INVENTOR.

PAUL N. BECKA BY am" m ATTORNEYS Sept. 11, 1962 N. BECKA PEDESTRIAN CONTROL- SIGNAL AND CIRCUIT 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 14, 1959 n 4! 3 9 I 6 l 2 3 2 w 4 A 4 4 4 7 w J 6 4 4 86 E w mm 4 4 2 O 4 6 4 3 4 4 H r e 4 R 3. m 4 4 w L F F m LI M m 4 A 2 0 T w M 6 Q 4 I 53 6 23 h N 6 44 4 O m 5 2 W E 4 4 N /F w o u 9 C K D L M M. N r E A 4 5 O E w 8 F 5 0| 4 4 4 5 5 4 4 4 6 I fi 4 w m w M J 4 4 4 n 4 INVENTOR. PAUL N. BECKA BY ATTORNEYS Unite States atent O 3,054,089 PEDESTRIAN CONTROL SIGNAL AND CIRUIT Paul N. Becka, 1308 Bunts Road, Lakewood, Ohio Filed Dec. 14, 1959, Ser. No. 859,206 7 Claims. (Cl. 340-105) The invention relates in general to luminous signals and more particularly to luminous pedestrian control signals and a control system for operating the same.

An object of the invention is to provide a signal and control system for operating the same whereby the entire signal or only a portion thereof may be selectively illuminated by the use of only a single transformer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a signal and a control system for operating the same whereby a first portion of the signal may be illuminated from the secondary of a transformer or a second larger portion of the signal may be illuminated from the secondary of the same transformer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a gaseous discharge pedestrian control sign whereby a relay is utilized to alternatively energize the entire sign or only a portion thereof from a single transformer secondary.

Another object of the invention is to provide a safety switching arrangement whereby an entire signal, indicating a negative instruction to proceed, is illuminated when a switch is de-actuated and only a portion of the signal, indicating a positive instruction to proceed, is illuminated when the switch is actuated thus insuring that if the switch becomes defective only the negative instruction will be indicated thus keeping trafiic at a safe stop.

Another object of the invention is to provide a luminous pedestrian control signal and a control system for operating the same whereby it is not possible to give an incorrect instruction to a pedestrian but rather to give a correct instruction or no instruction at all.

Another object of the invention is to provide a signal and a control system for operating the same whereby only a single transformer is utilized which is kept energized at all times thereby giving longer life to the transformer while only utilizing a single transformer instead of a plurality.

Another object of the invention is to provide a control system having luminous pedestrian signal whereby the switching is done on the high voltage side of a transformer which is utilized in the control system.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new control system which is used for a luminous pedestrian control signal which system is provided with a new and novel ground means.

Another object of the invention isto provide a signal and a control system for operating the same whereby a first portion of the signal may be illuminated from the secondary of the transformer and a second portion of the signal may be illuminated from the secondary of the same transformer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a gaseous discharge pedestrian control signal whereby a relay is utilized to alternatively energize a first or a second portion thereof from a single transformer secondary.

Another object of the invention is to provide a safety switching arrangement whereby a first portion of the signal indicating a negative instruction to proceed is i1- luminated when a switch is de-actuated, and whereby a second portion of the signal indicating a positive instruction to proceed is illuminated when the switch is actuated, thus insuring that if the switch becomes defective only the negative instruction will be indicated, thus keeping traffic at a safe stop.

Another object of the invention is to provide a control signal which includes first and second gaseous discharge ice tube portions wherein one of the gaseous discharge tube portions is electrically energized at least in part by groundmeans as part of the electrical circuit.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of this invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 7

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of my pedes trial control sign in combination with the control circuit therefore; and

FIGURES 2, 3, 4, and 5 are modifications of the pedestrian control sign and circuit shown in FIGURE 1.

Referring to FIGURE 1, the control sign 10 includes generally a continuous gaseous discharge tube 12, a leakage reactance transformer 13, a relay 14 and a traffic controller 15.

The gaseous discharge tube 12 includes a first portion 18 which forms the word Dont which extends in generally a first horizontal line at a first vertical level. A second portion 19 of the discharge tube 12 forms the word Walk which extends in generally a second horizontal line located at a second vertical level. A tubular interconnecting member 20, sometimes referred to as the intermediate portion of the discharge tube, extends between the first and second portions 18 and 19 respectively of the tube 12. The gaseous discharge tube is thus formed of a continuous length of tubing and this insures that if any part of the tube becomes damaged, the gas will leak therefrom and faulty signals will not be conveyed to the people who are to be directed by the sign. When the entire sign is illuminated it directs people to refrain from walking and when only the latter portion of the sign is illuminated, it amounts to a positive direction, allowing people to walk. The first portion 18 of the gaseous discharge tube is provided with a first terminal 23 and the second portion 19 is provided with a second terminal 24. The intermediate portion of the tubular interconnecting member 20 is provided with a third terminal 25. The gaseous discharge tube 12 is therefore provided with a terminal at first and second ends of the tube and at an intermediate portion thereof.

The leakage reactance transformer 13 comprises a primary 28 having first and second conductors 29 and 30, respectively, and also having first and second terminals 31 and 32, respectively. The transformer also comprises a secondary 35 which has first and second conductors 36 and 37, respectively, and also has first and second terminals 38 and 39, respectively. The transformer 13 may be of the type illustrated in Patent No. 1,777,256, issued September 30, 1930, to J. C. Daley.

The relay 14 includes a movable contact 54 movable between first and second opposed contacts 45 and 46, respectively. The relay 14 also includes an actuating coil 57 having first and second terminals 50 and 51, respectively. The contacts of the relay may be referred to as contact means and the engagement of the contacts in their different positions establishes first and second circuit contact positions. The movable contact 54 is therefore movable between first and second positions or as sometimes referred to, between energized and de-energized positions. the accompanying drawing the movable contact is in the first or de-energized position.

The traffic controller 15 includes first, second and third terminals 61, 60 and 59, respectively, on the outlet side of the mechanism and the controller is provided with first and second terminals 64 and 65 on the inlet side. The feed lines 67 and 68 provide power to the trafiic controller for operating the same. A switch 70 is provided for cutting off the power to the trafiic controller when this is desired.

The gaseous discharge tube 12 along with the leakage In the position in which it is shown in reactance transformer 13 and the relay 14 have been indicated schematically as being contained in a single unit or housing by the dot-dash line 73.

A first conductor 81 sometimes referred to as first connection means connects the first traffic controller terminal 61 to the first conductor 29 of the primary 28 and a second conductor 82 connects the second trafiic controller terminal 69 to the second conductor 39 of the primary 28. The switch 70 in combination with a power source and the traffic controller comprise a means for energizing the first and second conductors 31 and 82, respectively, which in turn continuously energizes the primary 28. A third conductor 74 sometimes referred to as third connection means connects the first gaseous discharge tube terminal 23 and the first opposed relay contact 45 together so that electrical communication may be had therebetween and a fourth conductor 75 connects the second gaseous discharge tube terminal 24 and the first conductor 36 of the secondary 35 together. A fifth conductor 76 connects the third gaseous discharge tube terminal 25 to ground and a sixth conductor 77 connects the second opposed relay contact 46 to the third gaseous discharge tube terminal 25. A seventh conductor 78 connects the movable relay contact 47 and 54 to the second conductor 37 of the secondary 35 and an eighth conductor 79 sometimes referred to as the Walk conductor connects the third traflic controller terminal 59 to the first relay terminal 50. A ninth conductor 80 connects the second traffic controller terminal 60 to the second relay terminal 51. The conductor 81 may be referred to as the feed lineand the conductor 80 may be referred to as the common line. The conductors 79, 80 and 81, respectively, are connected to terminals 84, 8S and 86 on the housing 73 and then from these terminals extend to the various points of connection as mentioned hereinabove. The energization of the primary causes the secondary to be energized and current flows through the conductor 78, through the movable contact 54 and through the conductor 74 in the first relay position to the first terminal 23 of the gaseous discharge tube. Current also fiows through the conductor 75 to the second terminal 24 of the gaseous discharge tube. This may be referred to as first connection means for connecting the secondary of the transformer across the first and second terminals of the tube. As a result, the entire sign is illuminated and it Warns pedestrian to refrain from walking. Means are also provided which includes the traffic controller for energizing the eighth and ninth conductors whereby the relay actuating coil 57 is energized. As a result, the movable contact 54 is caused to move from its engagement with the first opposed relay contact 45 and into engagement with the second opposed relay contact 46. As a result of this, the current from the secondary 35 of the transformer flows through the conductor 7 8 through the movable contact 54 and conductor 77 to the second terminal of the gaseous discharge tube and also to the third terminal 24 from the other side of the secondary 35. As a result, only the walk portion of the sign or the portion directing pedestrians to walk is illuminated. These conductors along with the second relay position may be referred to as second connection means for connecting the secondary of the transformer across the second and third terminals of the tube.

The control sign and circuit shown in FIGURE 2 is a modification of that shown in FIGURE 1. Reference numerals one-hundred units higher have been applied to FIGURE 2 as compared to FIGURE 1 where like parts are utilized and new numerals have been used where changes have been made. In FIGURE 2, the ground 76 has been removed from the terminal 25 at the intermediate portion of the tubular interconnecting member 20. A ground 90 has been provided to ground the relay switch blade 54.

It has also been found with the circuit of FIGURE 1 that if the terminal 23 becomes damaged so as to prevent electrical connection between the conductor 74 and the Dont portion of the sign, the Walk portion of the sign will sometimes light up instead of the entire sign failing to light up. This is undesirable since pedestrians would, in effect, be told to walk when, in fact they should not. If the terminal 24 becomes damaged the reverse would be true with respect to the Walk portion of the sign.

With the ground 76 removed and the ground utilized as shown in FIGURE 2 and terminal 123 becomes damaged the entire sign will not function when blade 154 engages contact 145 and as a result no direction at all will be given rather than an erroneous one. With the ground 90 as shown in FIGURE 2, the ground is actually switched from the terminal 123 to the midpoint of the tube 125 depending on the position of the switch 154. The relay 114 may be of the make before break type so that the blade 154 mechanically engages contact 146 before disengaging contact and vice-versa or may be of the type where there is mechanical engagement after disengagement with the other contact but where there might still be an electrical connection by means of a spark between the contacts.

As a result of the unique structure which applicant has shown and described hereinabove, a signal and a control circuit therefore have been provided whereby a first portion of the signal; namely, the Walk portion may be illuminated from the secondary of a single transformer or a second larger portion; namely, the Dont Walk portion may be illuminated from the secondary of the same transformer. The use of the relay to alternately connect the single secondary across the entire Dont Walk portion of the sign and the Walk portion of the sign provides a very economical and desirable combination. The control system for the signal has been so connected that the relay in its de-energized position causes the entire sign to be illuminated and when the relay is energized it causes only the Walk portion of the sign to be illuminated. This insures that if the relay should become defective then the entire Dont Walk sign would be illuminated thereby directing pedestrians to desist from walking.

Since the single transformer which is utilized is at all times energized and is not turned off and then on as in conventional signals of this type, there is given to the same an increase in life which is quite unexpected and of course very desirable. The present signal .and control circuit is also the first to do the switching on the hot side of the transformer, namely; the secondary side.

The modification of the luminous control signal shown in FIGURE 3 has been indicated by the reference numeral 21d and includes generally first and second gaseous discharge tubes 211 and 212, respectively, a leakage reactance transformer 213, a relay 214, and a trafiic control 215.

The first gaseous discharge tube 211 forms the word Wait which extends generally on a first horizontal line at a first vertical level. It might be said that the first gaseous discharge tube forms a word which Warns pedestrians not to walk.

The second gaseous discharge tube 212 forms the word Walk which extends generally on a second horizontal line located at a second vertical level. This second gaseous discharge tube forms a word which gives a positive instruction to pedestrians to walk. The first gaseous discharge tube 211 is provided with first and second terminals 223 and 224, respectively, and the second gaseous discharge tube 212 is provided with a third and fourth terminals 225 and 226, respectively. The terminals 224 and 225 of the first and second gaseous discharge tubes 211 and 212, respectively, are electrically connected together by means of a conductor 220.

The leakage reactance transformer 213 comprises a primary 228 having first and second conductors 229 and 230, respectively and also having first and second terminals 231 and 232, respectively. The transformer also comprises a secondary 235 which has first and second conductors 236 and 237, respectively, and also has first and second terminals 233 and 239, respectively. The transformer 213 may be of the type illustrated in Patent, No. 1,777,256, issued September 30, 1930, to I. C. Daley.

The relay 214 includes a movable contact 254 movable between first and second opposed contacts 245 and 246, respectively. The relay 214 also includes an actuating coil 257 having first and second terminals 250 and 251, respectively. The contacts of the relay may be referred to as contact means and the engagement of the contacts in their different positions establishes first and second circuit contact positions. The movable contact 254 is therefore movable between first and second positions or is sometimes referred to by energized and deenergized positions. In the position which it is shown in the accompanying drawing, the movable contact is in the first or de-energized position.

The traffic controller 215 includes first, second, and third terminals 261, 260, and 259, respectively. On the input side of the mechanism the controller is provided with first and second terminals 264 and 265. On the input side, the feed lines 267 and 268 conduct power to the trafiic controller for controlling the same. A manual switch 270 is interposed in line 267 for cutting off the power to the trafiic controller when this is desired. The gaseous discharge tubes 211 and 212, along with the leakage rectance transformer 213, and the relay 214, have been indicated schematically as being contained in a single unit or housing by a dot-dash line 273.

A first conductor 281, sometimes referred to as first connection means, connects the first traffic controller terminal 261 to the first conductor 229' of the primary 228, and a second conductor 282 connects the second traffic controller terminal 260 to the second conductor 23% of the primary 228. The manual switch 270 in combination with a power switch (not shown) and the tralfic controller 215 comprises a means for energizing the first and second conductors 281 and 282, respectively, which in turn continuously energize the primary 228. A third conductor 274 sometimes referred to as third connection means connects the first terminal 223 of the first gaseous discharge tube 211 and the first opposed relay contact 245 together so that electrical connection is had therebetween and a fourth conductor 275 connects the second terminal 224 of the gaseous discharge tube 211 and the first conductor 236 of the secondary 235 together. A fifth conductor 276 connects the conductor 220 to ground and a sixth conductor 277 connects the second opposed relay contact 246 to the terminal 226 of the second gaseous discharge tube 212. A seventh conductor 278 connects the third relay contact 247 and hence the movable contact 254 to the second conductor 237 of the secondary 235, and an eighth conductor 279, sometimes referred to as the Walk conductor, connects the third traffic controller terminal 259 to the first relay terminal 250. A ninth conductor 280 connects the second traffic controller terminal 261 to the second relay terminal 251. The conductor 281 may be referred to as a feed line and the conductor 280 may be referred to as the common line. The conductors 279, 280, and 281, respectively, are connected to terminals 284, 285, and 286 on the housing 273 and then from these terminals extend the various points of connections as mentioned hereinabove. The energization of the primary causes the secondary to be energized and current flows through the conductor 278, through the movable contact 254 in the first relay position, to the first terminal 223 of the first gaseous discharge tube. Current also flows through the conductor 275 to the second terminal 224 of the discharge tube 211. This may be referred to as first connection means for connecting the secondary of the transformer across the first discharge tube 211 or across the first and second terminals of the sign. As a result, the Wait portion of the sign is illuminated and it warns pedestrians to refrain from walking. This Wait portion of the sign is usually, although not necessarily, red in color. Means are provided which include the traflic controller 215 for energizing the conductors 279 and 280 whereby the relay actuating coil 257 is energized. As a result, the movable contact 254 is caused to move from its engagement with the first opposed relay contact 245 and into engagement with the second opposed relay contact 246. As a result of this, the current from the secondary 235 flows through the conductor 278, through the movable contact 254 and conductor 277 to the terminal 226 of the second gaseous discharge tube. Current also flows through conductors 220 and 275 to the terminal 225 of the second gaseous discharge tube. As a result, only the Walk portion of the sign or the portion directing pedestrians to walk is illuminated. These conductors, along with the second relay positions, may be referred to as second connection means for connecting the secondary of the transformer across the second gaseous discharge tube. The Walk portion of the sign is usually, although not necessarily, green in color.

As a result of the structure which the applicant has shown and described hereinabove, a signal and a control.

circuit therefore have been provided whereby a first portion of the signal; namely, the Wait portion, may be illuminated from the secondary of the single transformer, or second portion of the signal; namely, the Walk portion, may be illuminated from the secondary of the same transformer. This provides that only a single transformer need be utilized for the operation of the two portions of the sign. The use of the relay to alternately connect the single secondary across the two portions of the sign provides a very economical and desirable combination. It will be specifically noted that the switching takes place on the high voltage side of the transformer. With the switching taking place on the high voltage side of the transformer, it has been found from experimentation that it is desirable to place a ground on the ends of the two tubes which are connected together. In this specific showing of the invention, the ends of the two tubes are the Ws which are connected by the conductor 226. This insures that the ground is always on the one side of the gaseous discharge tubes. With this type of switching arrangement, the transformer is always energized which does away with the building up and breaking down of voltages which in effect have more, or as much, tendency to wear the transformer out than keeping it energized at all times. The control system for the instant signal has been so connected that the relay in its de-energized position causes the Wait portion of the sign to be illuminated, and when the relay is energized, it causes the Walk portion of the sign to be illuminated. This insures that if the relay should become defective, then the Wait portion of the sign would be illuminated thereby directing pedestrians to desist from walking.

FIGURES 4 and 5 illustrate further modifications of the signal which is shown in FIGURES 13. The traific controller, the transformer, and the relay coil in FIG- URES 4 and 5 are the same as that illustrated in FIG- URE l, as well as the associated electrical connections and; as -a result, these elements in FIGURE 4 have been indicated with identical reference numerals with the exception that they are 300 digits higher than in FIGURE 1. The same is true in FIGURE 5 with the exception that the elements have been indicated with reference numerals that are 400 digits higher thanin FIGURE 1.

The signal shown in FIGURE 4 includes first and second gaseous discharge tubes 311 and 312. The gaseous discharge tube 311 has been formed into letters which spell the word Dont whereas the gaseous discharge tube 312 spells out the word Walk. The first gaseous discharge tube is provided with terminals 323 and 324 and the second gaseous discharge tube is provided with terminals 325 and- 326. Electrical connection is made 7 between terminals 324 and 325 by means of a conductor 320. The switching portion of the relay 314 includes movable contact means 347 and first fixed contacts 345 and 346 and second fixed contacts 348 and 349.

Electrical connection is made between terminal 323 of the first gaseous discharge tube 311 and fixed contact 345 by means of an electrical conductor 374, and electrical connection is made between terminal 339 of the transformer secondary and the fixed contact 346 by means of electrical conductor 378. Electrical connection is made between the terminal 338 of the transformer secondary and terminal 326 of the second gaseous discharge tube by means of electrical conductor 375. Electrical connection is made between terminal 325 of the second gaseous discharge tube and the fixed contact 348 of the relay by means of electrical conductor 377. The fixed contact 349 is connected to ground by means of electrical conductor 376. An intermediate portion of the transformer secondary is also connected to ground by means of electrical conductor 379.

In operation, the device shown in FIGURE 4 functions as follows. In the unenergized position of the relay 314, themovable contact means 347 is located in the position shown and provides electrical connection between the fixed contacts 345 and 346. When this condition exists, the electrical potential of the transformer secondary is impressed across both of the gaseous discharge tubes 311 and 312 or in other words, it is impressed across terminals 323 of the first gaseous tube 311 and terminal 326 of the second gaseous tube 312. When this is the case, both the Dont and the Walk portions of the sign are illuminated thereby warning a pedestrian not to walk. In the energized position of the relay 314, the movable contact means bridge the fixed contacts 348 and 349 thereby impressing an electrical potential across terminals 325 and 326 of the second gaseous discharge tube 312. This circuit is accomplished by means of the conductors 377, 375, 379, and 376 as well as the movable contact means 347 and fixed contacts 348 and 349. In this condition only, the Walk portion of the sign is illuminated thereby giving instructions to pedestrians to proceed.

The signal shown in FIGURE 5 includes first and second gaseous discharge tube means 411 and 412. The first gaseous discharge tube means 411 includes first and second tube portions 416 and 417, respectively. The second gaseous discharge tube means includes only the one tube portion indicated. The first and second gaseous discharge tube means 411 and 412 are not formed into any particular words but rather the first portion of the first gaseous discharge tube means is positioned behind a translucent panel 418 which has portions of the face blanked out so that light will pass only through preselected portions of the panel 418. In panel 418 the preselected portions spell out the word Dont. The second portion 417 of the first gaseous discharge tube means as well as the second gaseous discharge tube means is located behind a translucent panel 419 which is of the same type as translucent panel 418. The only difierence in this instance, is that in the panel 419, the Word Walk is spelled out. It will thus be seen that when the first gaseous discharge tube means is illuminated, the words Dont" and Walk are illuminated in red since the first gaseous discharge tube means is red in color and when the second gaseous discharge tube means is illuminated, the word Walk is illuuminated in green since the second gaseous discharge tube means is green in color.

The first portion 416 of the first gaseous discharge tube means is provided with terminals 423 and 424 and the second portion of the first gaseous discharge tube means is provided with terminals 425 and 426. The second gaseous discharge tube means is provided with terminals 433 and 434. Electrical connection is made between terminals 424 and 425 by means of conductor 420. The switching portion of the relay 414 includes movable con tact means 447 and first fixed contacts 445 and 446 and second fixed contacts 448 and 449.

Electrical connection is made between terminal 423 of the first gaseous discharge tube means and fixed contact 445' by means of conductor 474. Electrical connection is made between the transformer secondary and fixed contact 446 by means of electrical conductor 478 and electrical connection is made between the transformer secondary and terminal 426 of the first gaseous discharge tube means by way of conductor 475. Electrical connection is made between terminal 433 of the second gaseous discharge tube means and fixed contact 448 by means of electrical conductor 477 and electrical connection is made between terminal 434 of the second gaseous discharge tube means and the transformer secondary by way of conductor 475 above referred to and since terminals 426 and 434 are electrically connected together by means of conductor 427. The fixed contact 449 is connected to ground by means of conductor 476 and an intermediate portion of the transformer secondary is also connected to ground by means of electrical conductor 479.

In operation the device shown in FIGURE 5 functions as follows. In the unenergized position of the relay 414, the movable contact means 447 is located in the position shown and provides electrical connection between the fixed contacts 445 and 446. When this condition exists, the electrical potential of the transformer is impressed across the first gaseous discharge tube; namely, across terminals 423 and 426 and as a result, the tube is illuminated thus lighting up the words Dont and the word Walk. In the energized position of the relay, the movable contact means 447 bridge the fixed contacts448 and 449 thereby impressing an electrical potential across terminals 433 and 434 of the second gaseous discharge tube means. This lights up the second gaseous discharge tube means which, as mentioned hereinabove, is green thereby illuminating the word Walk in panel 419.

This patent application is a continuation-in-part of United States patent application Serial No. 653,704, filed April 18, 1957, now forfeited, and is also a continuationin-part of United States patent application Serial No. 653,705, filed April 18, 1957, now abandoned, which was in turn a continuation-in-part of Serial No. 597,530, filed July 12, 1956, now abandoned.

Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A signal comprising a continuous gaseous discharge tube including a first portion, a second portion and an intermediate portion therebetween, said first portion having a first terminal, said second portion having a second terminal, and said intermediate portion having a third terminal, a transformer comprising a primary and a sec ondary each having first and second conductors, a relay having an actuating coil with first and second terminals said relay including movable contact means actuated between first and second opposed contact means, a controller mechanism having first, second and third terminals, connection means connecting said first controller mechanism terminal to said first conductor of said primary, connection means connecting said second controller mechanism terminal to said second conductor of said primary, means for energizing said primary of said transformer, connection means connecting said first gaseous discharge tube terminal and said first opposed relay contact means, connection means connecting said second gaseous discharge tube terminal and said first conductor of said secondary, connection means connecting said second opposed relay contact means to said third gaseous discharge tu-be terminal, connection means connecting said third gaseous discharge tube terminal to ground, connection means connecting said movable relay contact means to said second conductor of said secondary, connection means connecting said third controller mechaism terminal to said first terminal of the relay actuating coil, connection means connecting said second controller mechanism terminal to said second terminal of the relay actuating coil, said movable relay contact means in engagement with said first opposed relay contact means energizing said first and second gaseous discharge tube terminals thereby illuminating the first, second and intermediate portions of said gaseous discharge tube, means for energizing said relay actuating coil and thereby actuating said movable relay contact means from engagement with said first opposed relay contact means to engagement with said second opposed relay contact means whereby said second and third gaseous discharge tube terminals are energized thus illuminating the second portion of the gaseous discharge tube.

2. A signal comprising a continuous gaseous discharge tube including a first portion, a second portion and an intermediate portion therebetween, said first portion having a first terminal, said second portion having a second terminal, and said intermediate portion having a third terminal, a transformer comprising a primary and a secondary each having first and second conductors, a relay having an acuating coil with first and second terminals, said relay including movable contact means actuated between first and second opposed contact means, a controller mechanism having first, second and third terminals, connection means connecting said first controller mechanism terminal to said first conductor of said primary, connection means connecting said second controller mechanism terminal to said second conductor of said primary, means for energizing said primary of said transformer, connection means connecting said first gaseous discharge tube terminal and said first opposed relay contact means, connection means connecting said second gaseous discharge tube terminal and said first conductor of said secondary, connection means connecting said second opposed relay contact means to said third gaseous discharge tube terminal, connection means connecting said movable relay contact means to said second conductor of said secondary, connection means connecting said movable relay contact means to ground, connection means connecting said third contr oller mechanism terminal to said first terminal of the relay actuating coil, connection means connecting said second controller mechanism terminal to said second terminal of the relay actuating coil, said movable relay contact means in engagement with said first opposed relay contact means energizing said first and second gaseous disoharige tube terminals thereby illuminating the first, second and intermediate portions of said gaseous discharge tube, means for energizing said relay actuating coil and thereby actuating said movable relay contact means from engagement with said first opposed relay contact means to engagement with said second opposed relay contact means whereby said second and third gaseous discharge tube terminals are energized thus illuminating the second portion of the gaseous discharge tube.

3. A luminous pedestrian control signal having first and second alternate conditions, said signal under said first condition portraying a word which means .to Wait, said signal under said second condition portraying a word which means to Walk, first gaseous tube means illuminating said signal under said first condition and second gaseous tube means illuminating said signal under said second condition, a first terminal at the beginning of said first gaseous tube means, a second terminal at the end of said first gaseous tube means, a third terminal at the beginning of said second gaseous tube means, and

a fourth terminal at the end of said second gaseous tube means, electrical connection means connecting said first terminal of said first gaseous tube means and said third terminal of said second gaseous tube means together, means connecting said electrical connection means to ground, a transformer comprising a primary and a secondary, means for continuously energizing said primary, a relay having movable contact means actuated between first and second fixed opposed contact means, first connection means including said movable contact means and said first opposed contact means for connecting said secondary of said transformer across said first and second terminals whereby said first gaseous tube means is illuminated, second connection means including said movable contact means and said second opposed contact means for connecting said secondary of said transformer across said third and fourth terminals of said second gaseous tube means whereby said second gaseous tube means is illuminated, and means to operate said relay to actuate said movable contact means alternately between said first and said second opposed contact means.

4. A signal comprising first and second gaseous discharge tubes, said first gaseous discharge tube having first and second terminals, said second gaseous discharge tube having third and fourth terminals, a step-up transformer comprising a primary and a secondary each having first and second conductors, a relay having an actuating coil with first and second terminals, said relay including movable contact means actuated between first and second opposed contact means, a controller mechanism having first, second and third terminals, connection means connecting said first controller terminal to said first conductor of said primary, connection means connecting said second controller terminal to said second conductor of said primary, means for energizing said primary of said transformer, connection means connecting said first gaseous discharge tube terminal and said first opposed relay contact means, connection means connecting said second gaseous tube terminal and said first conductor of said secondary, connection means connecting said second opposed relay contact means to said third gaseous discharge tube terminal, connection means connecting said movable relay contact means to said second conductor of said secondary, connection means connecting said third controller terminal to said first terminal of said relay actuating coil, connection means connecting said second controller terminal to said second terminal of said relay actuating coil, connection means connecting said second and fourth gaseous discharge terminals together, connection means connecting said second and fourth gaseous discharge terminals to ground, said movable relay contact means in engagement with said first opposed relay contact means energizing said first gaseous discharge tube thereby illuminating said first gaseous discharge tube, means for energizing said relay actuating coil and thereby moving said movable relay contact means from engagement with said first opposed relay contact means to engagement with said second opposed relay contact means whereby said second gaseous discharge tube terminals will be energized thus illuminating said second gaseous discharge tube.

5. A luminous pedestrian control signal including a first gaseous tube illuminating instructions which give a pedestrian a signal, a second gaseous tube illuminating instructions which give a pedestrian an opposite signal, a first terminal at one end portion of said first gaseous tube, a second terminal at the other end portion of said first gaseous tube, a third terminal at one end portion of said second gaseous tube, a fourth terminal at another end portion of said second gaseous tube, electrical connection means connecting said first terminal of said first gaseous tube and said third terminal of said second gaseous tube together, means connecting said electrical connection means to ground, a transformer comprising a primary and a secondary, means for continuously energizing said primary, a relay having movable contact means actuated between said first and second opposed fixed contact means, first connection means including said movable contact means and said first opposed contact means for connecting said secondary of said transformer across said first and second terminals whereby said first gaseous tube is illuminated, second connection means including said movable contact means and said second opposed contact means for connecting said secondary of said transformer across said third and fourth terminals of said second gaseous tube whereby said second gaseous tube is illuminated, and means to operate said relay to actuate said movable contact means alternately between said first and second opposed contact means.

6. A signal comprising first and second gaseous discharge tubes, said first gaseous discharge tube having first and second terminals, said second gaseous discharge tube having third and fourth terminals, a transformer comprising a primary and a secondary each having first and second conductors, a relay having an actuating coil, said relay including movable contact means actuated between first and second fixed contact means, means for energizing said primary of said transformer, connection means connecting said first gaseous discharge tube terminal and said first fixed relay contact means together, connection means connecting said second and third gaseous tube terminals together, connection means connecting said fourth gaseous discharge tube terminal to said first conductor of said transformer secondary, connection means connecting said second conductor of said transformer secondary to said first fixed relay contact means, connection means connecting said connection means which connect said second and third gaseous discharge terminals together to said second fixed relay contact means, connection means connecting said second fixed contact means to ground, connection means connecting an intermediate portion of said transformer secondary to ground, said movable relay contact means in engagement with said first fixed relay contact means energizing said first and second gaseous discharge tubes thereby illuminating said first and second gaseous discharge tubes, means for energizing said relay actuating coil and thereby moving said movable relay contact means from engagement with said first fixed reiay contact means to engagement with said second fixed relay contact means whereby said second gaseous discharge tube terminals are energized thus illuminating said second gaseous discharge tube.

7. A signal comprising first and second gaseous discharge tube means, said first gaseous discharge tube means including first and second tube portions, said first tube portion having first and second terminals, said second tube portion having third and fourth thermiuals,

. 12 said second gaseous discharge tube means having fifth and sixth terminals, a transformer comprising a primary and secondary each having first and second conductors, a relay having an actuating coil, said relay including movable contact means actuated between first and second fixed contact means, means for energizing said primary of said transformer, connection means connecting said first gaseous discharge tube terminal and said first fixed relay contact means together, connection means connecting said second and third gaseous tube terminals together, connection means connecting said fourth gaseous discharge tube terminal to said first conductor of said transformer secondary, connection means connecting said second conductor of said transformer secondary to said first fixed relay contact means, connection means connecting said fifth gaseous discharge tube terminal to said first conductor of said transformer secondary, connection means connecting said sixth gaseous discharge tube terminal to said second fixed relay contact means, connection means connecting said second fixed contact means to ground, connection means connecting an intermediate portion of said transformer secondary to ground, said movable relay contact means in engagement with said first fixed relay contact means energizing said first and second tube portions of said first gaseous discharge tube means thereby illuminating the same, means for energizing said relay actuating coil and thereby moving said movable relay contact means from engagement with said first fixed relay contact means to engagement with said second fixed relay contact means whereby said second gaseous discharge tube mean terminals are energized thus illuminating said second gaseous discharge tube means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,921,290 Gragg Aug. 8, 1933 2,134,313 Nordgran Oct. 25, 1938 2,138,197 Pressler et al. Nov. 29, 1938 2,147,982 Levitan Feb. 21, 1939 2,166,862 Foster July 18, 1939 2,229,611 Levitan Jan. 21, 1941 2,793,356 Hart May 21, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 210,936 Switzerland Aug. 14, 1950 OTHER REFERENCES Publication, American City, April 1950, pages 163 165. 

